Dogs That Make Good Guard Dogs

Background

Man has entrusted guard dogs with the task of protecting him and his assets for a long time. It all began with humans trusting a guard dog to watch over their precious cattle. Today, this role has expanded to protection of the owner’s property and even family. Nothing can ever replace your family and if you are going to invest in a guard dog to protect yours, it should belong to the breed suited for the job. However, how do you decide which breed will make the best guard dog? The debate continues even to this day.

Guard Dogs over the Years

When distance limited man’s urge to travel, there was a lack of communication between areas of the world situated at large distances from each other. Dog trainers all over the world worked on various breeds with just one purpose in mind – to train dogs into the reliable guard dogs. Now, more than one mode of transport is available and the world seems to have shrunk. The breeds that had been hitherto endemic are now easily available worldwide. 

Another factor that has changed the world of guard dog training is that man was not the only one evolving with time. Canine breeds, too, have changed drastically. In the canine world, genes are the currency, and each different generation adds something new to the mix. Once considered ideal guard dog material, some breeds have been reduced to the life of a house pet today. The reason for this being their breed did not change fast enough or sufficiently enough to suit the demands of today’s world.

Best Breeds as Guard Dogs

A good guard needs nerves of steel, accompanied by shrewdness and strength. In this context, the breeds considered well suited to this purpose, in order, are:

• German Shepherd

• Belgian Malinois

• Dutch Shepherd

What Makes a Good Guard Dog?

Though the three breeds mentioned above make for good candidates when considering guard dogs, it would be unwise to assume that all dogs from these breeds would make good guard dogs. Just like humans, one dog is different from another. Selecting a dog that will be appropriate for the job will depend on that very specific dog. However, good genetic makeup is the first step to a well-trained guard dog. German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois dogs, and Dutch Shepherds have bloodlines that humans have tinkered with for a long time, leading to their possessing the best bloodlines for the job. To read more visit,

www.ccprotectiondogs.com

The Use of E Collars in Training

The Promise

The media has made you a hollow promise by showing that a protection dog can be trained using an electric collar. Not only is this practice unproductive, it is also inhuman and the layman’s way out.

The Training

The K.N.P.V. program in use in Holland employs the use of electricity to train their dogs. The dog is supposed to find a box in the woods; since it cannot mouth it, the box has been rigged to electrify. A dog that has successfully found the box will bark to announce its success; if it does more and touches the box, it will receive a shock.

At CCPD, we do not believe in exposing our German Shepherds or Belgian Malinois dogs to such maltreatment. We are strongly opposed to this type of treatment because history attests how unpredictable and unreliable a dog that has been trained this way can be. During the Second World War, detection dogs were used to detect mines. These dogs were trained by administering electric shocks from wires lying just below the surface of the ground. It was thought that they would learn to anticipate danger in the ground this way.

The Side Effect

When trained in that way, it made the canines extremely nervous, effectively shortening their service lifespan. When you train a dog to anticipate pain, you put them under undeserved strain!

The communication between a protection dog and its handler is quickly becoming an extinct art. We, at CCPD, urge all handlers to communicate with their animal, instead of mistreating them in this way. To read more vist, www.ccprotectiondogs.com

The Military Dog

Man has started and finished wars since prehistoric times and his canine companions have been a very important part of his war efforts. History tells us of some civilizations that were unique in their practice of honoring both the two-footed and four-pawed soldiers involved in battles. They would revere the memories of brave canines that had fought right next to them, by painting murals. Times might have changed, as have the roles of dogs in warfare, but the practice continues. Military dogs are still a crucial part of many successful military campaigns.

Roles of Military Dogs

Even though military working dogs are deployed to the front lines of an ongoing battle very rarely, they are still play an important part. Their role has evolved with time  and they have very specialized roles now like in covert operations. As time has changed, so have the type of battlefields. The battles and campaigns that we face today are miles away from what our forbears faced and fought. Today, the enemy is often a wolf in sheep’s clothing, well hidden among the civilians. This is where military canines come into action. These dogs are trained to react within a split-second, if an armed “civilian” attacks or even passes by them.

In today’s world, weapons have diversified to include explosives that may be expertly hidden or disguised. By the time they are figured out, the damage has usually been done. A trained military dog is often used for scouting, surveillance and detection of such explosives. The military canine picks up on minute scents given off by explosive materials, before the explosives go off. Outfitted with the latest of technologies, canine can now help military teams scout an area before the others move in. Innovative advances now allow small cameras to be attached to the dog’s head, so that the handler can monitor and see what the dog sees beforehand.

Breeds Used As Military Dogs

German Shepherds form the lion’s share of all military working dogs while Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherds are slowly gaining popularity. Unfortunately, wearing a specially designed bullet-resistant Kevlar vest does not make a military canine indestructible. Often military memorials also bear the names of dogs who met their end while in service to their country. They only remind us of the true nature of a dog – loyalty and bravery to the very end. To read more visit, www.ccprotectiondogs.com

Protection Dogs, Children & Safety

For people in the market for a trained personal protection dog, a common concern is safety. In particular, if you have young children at home, you want to know if you have something to worry about when it comes to mixing dogs and children. But here is the deal: in a dog’s world, aggression is only an option in the context of a threat or a challenge. Otherwise, when faced with any other situation, a dog’s preferred course of action is to flee. So if you’re wondering - “Will my children be safe if I get a personal protection dog?” the answer is simple. Yes. The key is to choose the right dog to be a perfect fit for your whole family and this includes taking into account things like the temperament and personality of the animal and trainability. You also need to dog-proof your kids and kid-proof your dogs. 

The best protection dogs for young families with children

When choosing a personal protection dog, an important consideration is to choose an animal that will be a sword by your side but at the same time, is fun loving, good with children and fits right into your family in terms of energy level and lifestyle. The first thing to think about is dog breed. Individual dog breeds can be compared to one another in terms of size, trainability, grooming needs  as well as personality and general temperament. German Shepherd protection dogs, for instance, are large and require some grooming. They are also fun loving, eager to please, smart, confident and hard working but require lots of exercise. In contrast, Belgian Malinois protection dogs, which are a medium size dog and eager to please require more exercise. They are also courageous and fit right into families with children. 

The next consideration is adequate training. Before you get a personal protection dog, you need to make sure it has gone through expert training and that includes going through every temperament test conceivable. You can’t just assume that a dog, because it knows how to “sit” and “stay”, will turn the other cheek if your toddler pulls its tail or smacks it on the head. Dogs need to be trained and adequately socialized to make sure everyone in your family, including your children feel comfortable around them and more importantly, happy and safe. The relationship between a child and a dog can be a most fulfilling one but the prerequisite to that is that the dog is custom trained to be a perfect fit for your family. 

Teaching your children to be mindful

And finally, German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois protection dogs may make the best and most loyal companions but you also need to teach your children the dos and don’ts of interacting with dogs and playing with them. If your children are big enough, you can even consider teach them certain commands including obedience commands and exercises like "protective escape”, in which, under threat, a dog will bark and show aggression while maintaining a tight circle around the handler. The animal will not bite unless the handler gives another clear and very specific command to do so. 

About CCPD

Operating out of California, CCPD is a premier dog-training center with a specialty in training German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois protection dogs, two of the best breeds for protection dogs. Using a combination of communication, direction and correction training, we make sure that our dogs match your lifestyle, wishes and expectations with the right confidence and skill set to be a sword by your side. We coordinate with some of the top breeders in Europe and our dogs are stringently tested for their temperament. To learn more about our Protection Dogs for sale please visit our website at www.ccprotectiondogs.com

Potential Benefits vs. Potential Risks Of Raw Food Diets For Dogs

Proposed by Ian Billinghurst, an Australian veterinarian in 1993, raw dog food diets remain a popular topic for debate among dog owners and veterinarians alike. Basically, there are two schools of thought about whether or not dogs should be fed raw diets. One school says the animals always ate them in the wild and therefore they would thrive on such a diet. The other school documents the risks of raw diets and also proposes that since the animals do not live in the wild anymore and have been domesticated instead, raw diets may cause more potential harm than good. 

But first, what constitutes a raw dog food diet? In essence, a raw diet for canines is just that - raw. It typically consists of things such as muscle meat, bones, organ meats such as liver, raw eggs, vegetables, fruits and some form of dairy product such as yoghurt. Proposed benefits of such a diet include arguments such as: 

Raw protein and vegetables are healthier for canines

According to The Whole Dog Journal, cooking meat and vegetables denatures important enzymes needed for effective digestion and better nutrient absorption. On the other hand, the enzymes remain intact during the processes of freezing and subsequent defrosting.

Dry kibble is not ideal

If you feed your dog commercial dry foods, take a look at the list of ingredients on the packaging. The rule is: the most important ingredients in a canine’s diet should be 1) quality proteins and 2) quality vegetables and fruits. At the same time, the food should be devoid of grains, corn and their by products. Is this what you see? Probably not! Commercial dry dog food also typically contains significant amounts of things such as preservatives, dyes and also sweeteners.

A raw diet may help prevent many health problems

In dogs, a raw diet may help dog owners combat common health problems in their animal including obesity, heart diseases, diabetes, allergies and cancer. After all, dog food companies don’t care about your canine’s health. They are in it for the money and the foods they put on the market may include ingredients harmful to your dog such as corn and rice fillers as well as low-grade animal by-products.

A raw diet is generally more varied in terms of vitamins and minerals

Think about it, if you ate the same thing everyday for breakfast, lunch and dinner and for 365 days a year, inevitably you will become deficient in certain important nutrients that your body needs for good health. The same is true with your pet.

Dogs on a raw diet look better

And finally, dogs on raw diets are often reported to have more attractive coats, less fat and healthier skin. They also generally have cleaner gums and teeth and the animals poop less too. 

But there are also drawbacks and potential risks to feeding your dog a raw diet. For example: 

Raw organic dog foods cost more than dry kibble

Unless you buy massive quantities of meat at cost price or you arrange something with your local farmer, feeding your dog a raw diet will cost more than dry kibble.

The animal may develop digestive issues

If you’ve been feeding your dog cooked food or dry dog food kibble, a switch in the animal’s dietary habits may cause some digestive issues including an upset stomach. It’s debatable whether it’s better to make the switch gradually or straightaway with no transition whatsoever.

Raw meat and vegetables are messier to handle than dry kibble

Raw dog foods such as raw meat and raw fruits and vegetables are messy - to store, handle and defrost and also to clean up once the animal is done eating. The food also takes up more storage space in the freezer.

Some dogs can’t have raw protein

Last but not least, some dogs including older animals with kidney issues and/or pancreatitis can’t have raw dog food. To be sure, consult your vet before making the switch.

To learn more about raw dog food diets and protection dogs for sale , call on 877.687.2259 or go to www.ccprotectiondogs.com. CCPD is a premier dog-training center that sells fully trained Protection Dogs.

The French Ring Dog Sport

Although most dog sports are essentially built around the same basic principals, each sport is unique in its own way. One of the exercises that makes French Ring sport different from other competitive dog sports is its retrieval exercises. There are three types of retrieval exercises, but only dogs competing in French Ring III, the most advanced level of French Ring titles, are expected to perform all three.

The first of the three exercises is known as the thrown retrieve. In this exercise, the handler throws an object, and the dog is simply expected to retrieve the object and return it to the handler. The throw must cover a distance of at least 5 meters, and the dog is only given 5 seconds to complete the exercise. Due to the time restrictions, the dog must move quickly, but it is also important that the handler be able to throw appropriate distance. Throwing further than 5 meters will obviously cost you time as your dog is required to run farther than the minimum 5 meters. Practise and coordination are required by both the dog and the handler.

The thrown retrieve exercise is performed in all three levels of French Ring. In French Ring II, a new retrieve is introduced, which is known as "seen retrieve". The seen retrieve involves the handler and dog heeling down the field. The handler drops an object in plain site of the dog, and they continue moving. Finally, they stop, and the dog is instructed to run back and retrieve the object. In French Ring III, another variation of this is introduced, known as "unseen retrieve". The unseen retrieve is essentially identical to the seen retrieve, except that the object is dropped without the dog seeing it.

Retrieval exercises are certainly nothing new to dog owners. It is certainly not uncommon to see dog owners from all walks of life teaching their pets to play "fetch". French Ring tries to go a step further by incorporating elements of obedience and agility into the exercises. Of course, it's important to remember that French Ring is just a sport. Sporting exercises are wonderful entertainment for handlers, dogs and spectators alike, but one should never confuse a sporting dog for a true protection dog. If you want a true canine protection, you need a dog that has been trained for protection, not for sport. A sporting dog should never be sold as a Protection Dogs, regardless of whether it's a German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois or Dutch Shepherd. For more infomation about the Frinch ring retrieve visit, www.ccprotectiondogs.com

Children and Dogs

Children and dogs have a fantastic connection with each other.One of the most prominent differences between canine and wolves is that while wolves shun humans,dogs embrace them.This relationship is especially emphasized when one observes how dogs behave around childern.

 Children are high energy, excitable and have a high-pitched, non- threatening voice. These qualities remind dogs of when they themselves where puppies, having fun in the whelping box with their littermates. Thus, dogs rarely see children as threatening. The feeling the dog has is much like how most humans feel when they see a baby.

Dogs have such a strong desire to bond with children that they will not hesitate in situations where they otherwise would. For instance, dogs are naturally leery of new surfaces and may hesitate at first to step on asphalt or sand. However, if a child is in a sandbox the puppy will step onto the sand without delay because the puppy’s desire to bond outweighs the risk of experiencing an unknown surface.

This relationship is highlighted every time we have a new litter. Our German Shepherd puppies, Dutch Shepherd puppies and most recent litter of Belgian Malinois puppies start to socialize with children very soon after birth. The 

puppies love the interaction and are happy and exhausted once the children leave. These same feelings continue into adulthood and are part of the reason that protection dogs are excellent for families with children or for specific child protection work. In addition, since dogs do not view children as threats, you never have to worry about your personal protection dog becoming defensive if your children are roughhousing or playing together.

We have zero tolerance for aggression toward children; none of the dogs we sell would ever feel defensive toward a child. Actually, their instinct to guard a child is higher than for an adult. This is why Personal Protection Dogs are an excellent choice

when considering security options for your family. 

CC Protection Dogs offers a popular child protection program. The second best thing to a mother’s protection, our dogs will safeguard your child in all situations. In the few instances where your child may be alone or you may be distracted, the child protection dog will be alert to any danger. If a predator or unknown person should attempt to touch or accost your child or children, the dog is trained to get in between them and bark in a threatening manner. In addition to other commands, our dogs are trained to assist in child rescue if there is ever a need.

Considering the security that trained dogs can and are eager to provide, it’s no wonder that dogs are called “man’s best friend”. To learn more visit, www.ccprotectiondogs.com